Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Overreacting underreactors?
Read this article and tell me Israel hasn't messed up this war. Then read this article and tell me the Bush adminstration hasn't messed up. Then read this article and see how amateurs often have it right while the alleged experts do it all wrong. Then read this article about how two former U.S. secretaries of state disagree -- and you find yourself agreeing with M. Kissinger even though you agreed with M. Brzezinski at the outset. Everything is turned upside down because nothing was done right at the beginning. ...
... I'm developing a theory about how table-banging hardliners force people to overreact and then underreact when it counts. Rhetoric gets ahead of reality. Sound familiar? Think Iraq. Now I find myself, after criticizing Israel for overreacting, saying: Don't stop now! I know. I know. Think Iraq. ... FYI: Tip to WSJ for great reporting and op-eds, in case you didn't notice. Their hardline editorials, though, suck on this issue, with them admitting no mistakes. Sound familiar? Think Iraq. ...
Update - 8.02.06 -- A reader asks 'what went wrong?' Quickie armchair summary: 1.) Israel initially overreacted by relying too much on air power. 2.) For a battle of 'survival,' they sure took their time with the ground war, which should have been earlier and more concentrated in the south. 3.) Their overall goals were unrealistic. 4.) The next time the usual hardline suspects in the Bush administration give a 'green light' without thinking through the consequences, figure there'll be a diplomatic and military wreck down the road. ... FYI: I'm being pragmatic in my criticism of Israel, not moralistic. I truly wish Israel luck in going after terrorists. I just don't think they've thought this through -- and the evidence keeps mounting that they haven't. ...
Read this article and tell me Israel hasn't messed up this war. Then read this article and tell me the Bush adminstration hasn't messed up. Then read this article and see how amateurs often have it right while the alleged experts do it all wrong. Then read this article about how two former U.S. secretaries of state disagree -- and you find yourself agreeing with M. Kissinger even though you agreed with M. Brzezinski at the outset. Everything is turned upside down because nothing was done right at the beginning. ...
... I'm developing a theory about how table-banging hardliners force people to overreact and then underreact when it counts. Rhetoric gets ahead of reality. Sound familiar? Think Iraq. Now I find myself, after criticizing Israel for overreacting, saying: Don't stop now! I know. I know. Think Iraq. ... FYI: Tip to WSJ for great reporting and op-eds, in case you didn't notice. Their hardline editorials, though, suck on this issue, with them admitting no mistakes. Sound familiar? Think Iraq. ...
Update - 8.02.06 -- A reader asks 'what went wrong?' Quickie armchair summary: 1.) Israel initially overreacted by relying too much on air power. 2.) For a battle of 'survival,' they sure took their time with the ground war, which should have been earlier and more concentrated in the south. 3.) Their overall goals were unrealistic. 4.) The next time the usual hardline suspects in the Bush administration give a 'green light' without thinking through the consequences, figure there'll be a diplomatic and military wreck down the road. ... FYI: I'm being pragmatic in my criticism of Israel, not moralistic. I truly wish Israel luck in going after terrorists. I just don't think they've thought this through -- and the evidence keeps mounting that they haven't. ...
